In Libertadores clash, forward equals longest run as Corinthians starter | OneFootball

Corinthians faced Rosario Central-ARG on the night of last Thursday (13) at the Gigante de Arroyito Stadium in the first leg of the Conmebol Libertadores round of 16 and drew 0-0. The two teams will meet again next Thursday (20) at 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time) at Neo Química Arena. If there is another draw, the team that advances will be decided on penalties.

In last night’s match, forward Pedro Raul started for Corinthians for the third consecutive game, matching his longest run as a starter for the club from Parque São Jorge.

Photo: Reproduction/Conmebol Libertadores

Previously, the center-forward had already started three straight matches for Corinthians on two occasions. The first came in February 2024, against Novorizontino, Santos, and Portuguesa, all in the Campeonato Paulista.

The second, in turn, took place between March and April of the same year, against São Bernardo FC, Londrina, and Racing-URU, in matches for the Copa do Brasil, a friendly, and the Copa Sudamericana.

Against Rosario Central-ARG, the number 18 had a quiet performance but, at the same time, fulfilled an important tactical role, especially in aerial plays. His rating on Sofascore, the sports statistics app, was 5.9.

In terms of his career, he had not started three consecutive games since the end of last year, when, on loan at Ceará, he started the matches against Cruzeiro (H), Flamengo (A), and Palmeiras (H).

The forward was signed by Corinthians in January 2024, at the start of former president Augusto Melo’s administration, from Toluca of Mexico for five million dollars (R$ 25 million at the exchange rate at the time), split into four installments, two to be paid in 2024 and the rest in 2025. However, Timão renegotiated the start of payments to only the beginning of last year. As a result, due to interest, the player will cost Alvinegro eight million dollars (around R$ 42.8 million at the current exchange rate), to be paid in nine installments between 2025 and 2028.

Even with the high investment, Pedro Raul has not managed to establish himself at Corinthians under Mano Menezes, Antônio Oliveira, Ramón Díaz, Dorival Júnior, and, so far, the situation remains the same under Fernando Diniz. After getting opportunities and posting poor performances in 2024, the striker was loaned to Ceará in March 2025. There, he was the team’s top scorer for the season, with 17 goals and two assists in 45 matches. Despite that, Vozão was relegated to Série B and, for financial reasons, did not exercise the option to buy the player.

As a result, the number 18 returned to Corinthians at the beginning of 2026 and was reintegrated into the squad, which at the time was still coached by Dorival Júnior. This year, he has made 28 appearances, with two goals and two assists. Since arriving at Timão, he has recorded six goals and four assists in 68 matches — 28 wins, 19 draws, and 21 losses — a 50.5% points rate.

After drawing 0-0 away to Rosario Central-ARG in the first leg of the Conmebol Libertadores round of 16, Corinthians now turn their attention back to the Brazilian Championship. Next Sunday (16), at 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time), the club from Parque São Jorge will host Cruzeiro at Neo Química Arena for the 23rd round of the national competition. Timão currently sit seventh in the tournament with 32 points — eight wins, eight draws, and six losses — with 24 goals scored and 20 conceded.

Pedro Raul’s longest runs as a Corinthians starter:

First run

02/04/2024: Corinthians 1 x 3 Novorizontino (Paulista 2024) 02/07/2024: Santos 1 x 0 Corinthians (Paulista 2024) 02/11/2024: Corinthians 2 x 0 Portuguesa (Paulista 2024)

Second run

03/14/2024: São Bernardo FC 0 x 2 Corinthians (Copa do Brasil 2024) 03/27/2024: Londrina 0 x 3 Corinthians (Friendlies 2024) 04/02/2024: Racing-URU 1 x 1 Corinthians (Sudamericana 2024)

Third run

08/06/2026: Corinthians 2 x 1 Internacional (Copa do Brasil 2025) 08/09/2026: RB Bragantino 0 x 2 Corinthians (Brasileirão 2026) 08/13/2026: Rosario Central-ARG 0 x 0 Corinthians (Libertadores 2026)

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.